Isis in Syria: Jableh and Tartus rocked by series of explosions

At least 100 people have been killed and some 200 injured after a series of explosions rocked the coastal government stronghold cities of Jableh and Tartus. Islamic State (Isis) has claimed responsibility.

The deadly blasts in what are normally considered quiet, pro-government areas were the first of their kind targeting civilians who live in the two cities in the course of Syria's civil war, now in its sixth year.

A Syrian army soldier and civilians inspect the damage after explosions hit the Syrian city of TartusReuters

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the explosions were the result of at least five suicide attacks and two car bombs that ripped through both locations simultaneously. These are the first assaults of their kind in the areas, which are close to two Russian military facilities – the Tartus naval base and the Khmeimim airbase. Both Tartus and Jableh are home to thousands of internally displaced people from violence-stricken areas across Syria.

"We will not be deterred ... we will use everything we have to fight the terrorists," said Syrian cabinet minister Omran al-Zoubi on Syrian television.

Syrian army soldiers and civilians inspect the damage after explosions hit the Syrian city of TartusReuters

In Jableh, dozens were killed when a car bomb exploded near a bus station. This was followed by a suicide bomber who detonated his explosive belt inside the station. Meanwhile, two men blew themselves up at the electricity company and outside the emergency entrance of a city hospital, according to the Observatory. Jableh News Network, an opposition activist media group, reported that a nurse was among those killed at the hospital.

The Kremlin said it was concerned by the blasts, adding that rising tension in the country underscored the need to continue Syria peace talks.

People gather at the site of multiple bombings that left at least 101 dead in the northern coastal city of Jableh, between Latakia and TartusAFP/ Getty ImagesSyrian army soldiers and civilians inspect the damage after explosions hit the Syrian city of TartusReutersPeople inspect the damage after explosions hit the Syrian city of TartusReutersSmoke rises after explosions hit the Syrian city of TartusReutersSyrian army soldiers inspect the damage after explosions hit the Syrian city of TartusReutersPeople gather at the site of multiple bombings that left at least 101 dead in the northern coastal city of Jableh, between Latakia and TartusAFP/ Getty ImagesPeople gather at the site of multiple bombings that left at least 101 dead in the northern coastal city of Jableh, between Latakia and TartusAFP/ Getty ImagesA firefighter extinguishes a blaze at the scene of multiple bombings that left at least 101 dead in the northern coastal city of Jableh, between Latakia and TartusAFP/ Getty ImagesGeneral view shows a bus station that was targetted as part of multiple bombings that left at least 101 dead in the northern coastal city of Jableh, between Latakia and TartusAFP/ Getty ImagesPeople gather at the site of multiple bombings that left at least 101 dead in the northern coastal city of Jableh, between Latakia and TartusAFP/ Getty Images